Folder for storage, in particular for documents

ABSTRACT

A folder for storage has a folder back, a first swivelable flat disposed on the folder back, mutually opposing further swivelable flaps disposed laterally to the first swivelable flap, wherein the flaps being arranged so that in a closed state of the folder the first flap rests on the folder back and the mutually opposing further flap rests on the first flap, and an elastic band interconnecting the further flaps and tensioned in an opened state of the folder, thereby enabling the first flap to be placed onto the band.

The invention relates to a folder for storage, in particular fordocuments, and a folder back on which a first swivelable flap isdisposed and, laterally thereto, mutually opposing further swivelableflaps.

Documents DE 890 56 30 U1 and EP 047 09 85 B1 each describe folders ofthe type in question. In the case of those folders, the flaps—whichcover the folder back in the closed state of the folder—must be bentindividually outward in order to insert a document into the folder orremove a document from the folder. This can make handling verydifficult, in particular when the aim is to insert several documentsinto the folder or remove several documents from the folder. To closethe folder, the flaps must likewise be bent individually back inward.

The problem addressed by the invention is that of improving a folder ofthe initially described type such that the usability of the folder isclearly improved.

The problem is solved by the invention with a folder of the type inquestion, in the case of which, according to the invention, in theclosed state of the folder, the first flap rests on the folder back, andthe mutually opposing further flaps rest on the first flap. As a result,the folder can be opened using a minimum of hand motions by swivelingthe first flap outwardly, since the mutually opposing further flaps cantherefore likewise be swiveled outwardly by the first flap.

The folder can be integrated in entirety or in part into anotherproduct, such as writing folders, work folders, or the like.

In a development of the invention, the mutually opposing further flapscan be interconnected by an elastic band. The elastic band, which ispreferably tensioned in the opened state of the folder, pulls the twomutually opposing flaps toward one another, thereby enabling them to beswiveled inwardly as soon the first flap is swiveled inwardly to closethe folder. Therefore, all that is needed in order to close the folderis one gentle motion of a finger against the first flap, and themutually opposing flaps automatically swivel inwardly. In addition, inthe opened state of the folder, the tensioned elastic band presses thetwo mutually opposing flaps against the side edges of the first flap,thereby increasing the friction between the side edges and the two otheropposing flaps, thereby ensuring that the position of the flaps can bereliably maintained in the opened state of the folder.

The mutually opposing further flaps can be provided with a recess and/ora ridge. In this manner the first flap can be affixed in position in theopened state of the folder when the side edges thereof engage in therecesses and/or are slid over the ridge, which then forms a stop for thefirst flap in the opened state of the folder.

The folder can comprise a cover flap which covers the first flap and themutually opposing further flaps in the closed state of the folder. Inthe closed state of the folder, documents stored therein are thereforeoptimally secured against accidentally falling out.

The flaps and the cover flap can be connected to the folder back usinghinges. The flaps can therefore be swiveled about a defined swivel axis.

To ensure that production is low-cost, the flap back, the flaps, and thecover flap can be made as a single piece out of a base material.However, it is also possible to assemble the folder out of a pluralityof individual parts, and therefore the flaps and/or the cover flap areadhered to the folder back, for example.

Advantageously, the hinges can be economically stamped into the basematerial.

Cardboard and/or a plastic can be used as the base material, to ensurecost-effectiveness. High-quality materials such as cloth and leather canalso be used, however.

An embodiment of a folder according to the invention is explained belowin greater detail with reference to the attached drawings.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the partially opened folder;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the completely opened folder.

FIG. 1 shows a folder 10 comprising a folder back 11, a first flap 12,mutually opposing further flaps 13 and 14, and a cover flap 15. Coverflap 15 is swiveled outwardly, while flaps 12, 13 and 14 rest on thefolder back 11. In the closed state of folder 10, flaps 13 and 14 restpartially on flap 12. To open the folder 10 completely, flap 12 isswiveled outwardly, thereby causing flaps 13 and 14 resting thereon tolikewise be automatically swiveled outwardly (see FIG. 2).

The two flaps 13 and 14 are interconnected by an elastic band 16 whichis tensioned in the opened state of folder 10 (see FIG. 2). By way ofband 16, the two flaps 13 and 14 are pressed against lateral edges 17and 18, thereby ensuring that the position of flaps 12, 13, and 14 arereliably retained in the opened state of folder 10. In addition, band 16limits the swiveling motion of flap 12 when folder 10 is opened. If theaim is to close folder 10, flap 12 is swiveled inwardly using one gentlemotion of a finger, thereby enabling flaps 13 and 14 to be likewiseswiveled inwardly automatically by tensioned band 16.

To close folder 10 completely, cover flap 15 can likewise be swiveledinwardly.

To ensure that flaps 12, 13, and 14 can be affixed in position in theopened state of folder 10, inwardly projecting ridges 19 and 20 can beprovided on flaps 13 and 14. When folder 10 is opened, flap 12 isswiveled outwardly until lateral edges 17 and 18 thereof slide overridges 19 and 20. Ridges 19 and 20 therefore act as stops and preventthe folder from closing accidentally.

Furthermore, a likewise inwardly projecting ridge 21 is provided in theregion of the front edge of flap 12 which holds flap 12 away from folderback 11 or from the contents of folder 10 by a slight distance, therebymaking it easy to grasp and lift flap 12.

Hinges 22, 23, 24, and 25 are provided between flaps 12, 13 and 14 andfolder back 11, and between cover flap 15 and folder back 11, which makeit possible to swivel flaps 12, 13 and 14, and cover flap 15 about adefined swivel axis.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   10 Folder-   11 Folder back-   12 Flap-   13 Flap-   14 Flap-   15 Cover flap-   16 Band-   17 Lateral edges-   18 Lateral edges-   19 Ridge-   20 Ridge-   21 Ridge-   22 Hinge-   23 Hinge-   24 Hinge-   25 Hinge

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A folder for storage, comprising a folder back; afirst swivelable flap disposed on said folder back; mutually opposingfurther swivelable flaps disposed laterally to said first swivelableflap, wherein said flaps being arranged so that in a closed state of thefolder said first flap rests on said folder back and said mutuallyopposing further flap rests on said first flap; and an elastic bandinterconnecting said further flaps and tensioned in an opened state ofthe folder, thereby enabling said first flap to be placed onto saidband.
 13. A folder as defined in claim 12, wherein the folder forstorage is configured as a folder storage of documents.
 14. A folder asdefined in claim 12, wherein said flap and said mutually opposingfurther flaps are provided with a recess for fixation.
 15. A folder asdefined in claim 12, wherein said first flap and said mutually opposingfurther flaps are provided with a ridge for a fixation.
 16. A folder asdefined in claim 12, further providing a cover flap which covers saidfirst flap and said mutually opposing further flaps in said closed stateof the folder.
 17. A folder as defined in claim 16, further comprisinghinges which connect said first flap, said further flaps, and said coverflap to said folder back.
 18. A folder as defined in claim 17, whereinsaid folder back, said first flap, said further flaps, and said coverflap are formed as a single piece out of a base material.
 19. A folderas defined in claim 18, wherein said hinges are formed as hinges stampedinto said base material.
 20. A folder as defined in claim 18, whereinsaid base material is a material selected from the group consisting ofcardboard, plastic and both.
 21. A folder as defined in claim 12,wherein the folder is formed so that it is integratable into foldersselected from the group consisting of writing folders and work folders.